Seattle Quilt Shop

 

While visiting Seattle we were able to visit one quilt shop in Bellevue, just outside of Seattle. 

 

They had a cute sign inside the shop…

 

On our way to the shop we think we spotted the owner in front of us.  What were the odds that we would be on our way to the shop and the owner would be in the exact same place on the freeway??

 

 

I didn’t get any photos from inside the shop but here is what I bought while I was there.  Dog collar fabric for Halloween and some patterns for Adorable pillows and stools! 

 

 

                   

 

This was a very large quilt store and well worth visiting. They also carry Tons of beading supplies as well.

 

Also, come hungry because next door was the BEST hamburger stand!!!!

Denim Quilt at the Pacific West Quilt Show 2011

 

This past weekend my Mom and I left Reno and traveled to Seattle for the 2011 Pacific West Quilt Show.  Husbands were in tow for the weekend but we let them do their own thing while we went to the quilt show. 

As you might guess, they don’t have a lot of interest in looking at quilts or shopping.

 

We had a terrific time!  I took a ton of quilt pictures and we did lots of shopping.  I stocked up on Halloween fabric (for dog collars), titanium sewing machine needles, new fabric pens and some fun gifts for our quilt group.

 

It’s a good thing I always travel with an extra duffel bag to be checked in with my luggage.  I’ve Learned to always travel with an extra, empty bag.  Too many trips to a local Wal-Mart to purchase an extra bag has taught me to simply travel with one!

 

As you know, I love to quilt with recycled denim jeans.  With that in mind, the following quilt was one of my very favorites from the show.

 

 

Here is what the label next to the quilt said:

 

 

Here’s a close up of the quilt:

 

 

I LOVE it! 

Pillow Forms…

Now that I am making my living full time on my “talents”, I’m working on an Etsy store.  One of my new projects is a pillow using recycled denim jeans.

 

I need 18” pillow forms for these pillows. 

 

I’ve debated making them myself from scratch or buying them at an affordable resale price.  I can make a really nice one but I’m not sure that would be practical for creating pillows in volume.

 

I came across 18” pillow forms at a discounted fabric store the other day.  The quality is okay with the only real flaw being that the forms lack enough stuffing. 

 

I brought one home to experiment with making modifications.  I was happy with the results and thought I would share. 

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Here’s what they look like when I buy them.  They’re definitely clean and new and the casing is put together well, however, as you can see the corners are flat and the overall pillows are lumpy.  They’re just not stuffed well.

 

 

So, I decided to rip open the pillows and stuff them properly.  Here’s how I do it.

 

I use my extra fancy seam ripper (with which I’m pretty sure you can also conduct surgery) to start ripping in the center of one side.  I start at the label.

 

 

I continue to GENTLY rip out more stitches.  I take out about 6” total from the seam.

 

At this point, I reach in and start moving around the stuffing that already exists, filling all of the corners and stuffing them tight.

Next, I add my own new stuffing to fill out the pillow and I hand sew the opening shut.  I tried machine sewing but it takes a pretty big chunk out of the side of the pillow.  Hand sewing leaves a much nicer line along the edge.

 

This is the Much improved, Much nicer version of the pillow form!  It’s tightly stuffed and has a smooth texture!

 

Here’s a shelf full of forms newly stuffed and ready for sale! 

 

I have to say after making pillow forms by hand and then in comparison, modifying the store bought forms, the modification is definitely less work and cost efficient!

“Positively Pink”- Breast Cancer Fundraising Quilt

 

I belong to a quilting group that meets twice a month.  We’ve been working on a quilt to donate to a Breast Cancer Fundraising event in Sacramento.   It’s almost done.  I took the quilt home and have been working on some last minute details since the deadline is fast approaching.

 

Everyone raided their stash and donated black, white and pink fabrics.

 

Here’s what the top looked like prior to longarming.  We are all very happy with the results!!

 

 

The quilt still needed a binding, sleeve and label.

 

I did the binding last night and made the sleeve and label, however, I plan on taking the quilt back to our meeting on Monday so that the group can finish hand sewing the sleeve and label in place.

 

Here’s the sleeve.  Kind of hard to see since everything is the same color!

 

 

Here’s the label, also pinned in place and ready to be hand sewn.

 

 

We didn’t have a name for the quilt so I went online and looked up slogans for breast cancer awareness.   “Positively Pink” made the final cut!

 

 

Overall, it’s a beautiful quilt.  We did a great job!

The Scrappy Star Jean Quilt

 

In the spirit of loving to work with old denim jeans, I started working on a new denim quilt while still working on my circle rag quilt.

This quilt will be a lot of fun because it combines my enjoyment of working with jeans and scrap fabric.

 

Before I start any jean quilt, I need to get to the usable “yardage”.  Here is how I typically prepare a pair of freshly laundered jeans.

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I start by removing both legs just underneath the pockets.  (I now have a HUGE stack of pockets waiting to a future project!)

 

Next, I cut down each of the seams in both legs so that each leg can be opened flat.

 

I often cut away the “cuffs” at the bottom  of each leg as well.  If you accidently run over them with your rotary cutter, they’re pretty hard and I would think could dull the blade easily.

 

I’m then left with two pieces of denim ready for sewing!

 

More on this quilt tomorrow…

The Jean Rag Quilt…continues

 

I’m in the process of starting a new recycled jean rag quilt.  I’m still moving along on a pattern and I need to rework the details as I write.  So now that I am no longer working, I can get busy!

 

I’m using the charm squares, “Odyssea”.  This particular size of quilt requires three packs. 

 

 

Here’s the first row…I just mix up all of the charm squares and start randomly placing them. 

Same with the jean circles.  Just mix up the colors and sew.

 

 

I LOVE this quilt pattern.  I love reusing old jeans and making rag quilts.  It’s a fun one!  I’ll keep you updated!

What do you do with your Scraps?

 

After each project I always have a big pile of scrap fabric left over, just like everyone- yes? 

 

Some of the fabric goes into my string storage and larger pieces go back into the stash.  Other strings and strips go into a bin.

 

Recently, I discovered that my nine year old nephew and five year old niece LOVE the colorful castaways located in my trash bin!

 

Often we will pull out various sizes of paper or cardboard (whatever we have on hand), bring out the fabric bin and some white, washable school glue.  Oh, and “kid” scissors.

 

They love to glue the fabrics strips down to the paper in varying patterns.  It’s so interesting to watch the way their minds work.  They’re both so different in how they use the fabric.

 

Funny how these simple strips are such a source of fun and amusement for them!  Additionally, it a fun “quiet” activity.  I don’t worry about them ruining anything because we use the washable school glue.

 

Here are a few projects from last week…

 

 

 

 

So much fun….  And such an easy (and inexpensive) way to spend some time together.  :)